The Thanal Manor - Offices & Home of Keldon Elsdragon, Lord Thane of Primus Gaudeo

[Keldon Elsdragon]

Twenty Fifth Brightening, of the Third Cycle in Immanis Onwards

Although traditionally the position of Thane of Primus Gaudeo had been held by the current Governor of Centripax, a sizeable manor had been set aside just inside the grounds of the Concordia Incola for the occasion that the two offices would separate into city and province with separate leaders for each. And now that time had come.

The manor itself had been built in the old traditional style of the more affluent areas of the city. Styled completely out of large slabs of white marble, the two-story residence sat amid an encompassing sea of luscious green. A thick plaster wall surrounded the outer edge of the compound from the rest of the city, standing nearly nine feet tall and covered with draping ivy on either side. Twisted wire spanned the break in the wall facing the bordering street, offering an opening large enough to fit a full carriage through without the merest effort once the gates opened inward. Two guards bedecked in the official colorings and uniforms of members of the guard for the city of Primus Gaudeo stood at almost complete attention on either side of the gateway. The thick tips of their spears glistened with a threatening metallic aura as the sunlight hit their sharpened edges just so, becoming a visible reminder of the might of the city’s government. The protection of the Thane might have been a large responsibility, but the temptation of loosening the perfection of their stance or the distance of their gaze was much to large while watching relaxed citizens wander by the street. Still, if a visitor did happen to approach the gates to the Thanal Manor, the guards’ sense of duty would quickly snap back and send them into a flurry of action, anxiously asking for papers, identification, and reasons for being at the Manor that brightening.

The inner grounds of the Manor were well kept, although not with an obsessive sense of precision. Just behind the right side of the wall stood a comfortable wooden building, no more than five rooms large with simple, though large, windows, and flanking doorways at each end. Idle laughter and animated conversation indicated the shadowed humanoid shapes currently entertaining themselves within the guardhouse were those officials currently off-duty, enjoying themselves as only hired protection could. A few old, large trees dotted the large front lawn, but all bowed their glory to the larger, more ancient looking oak standing guard in the center of the circular driveway directly before the entrance to the Manor. A long, well-trimmed hedge bordered each side of the gravel drive, breaking only for a branching side road aimed toward an elongated wooden building. Shaped into a sideways rectangle, the thick smell of horses and their residue emanated with the breeze, quickly alerting any unknowledgeable visitor as to the use of the particular shelter.

Small patches of flowers broke the monotony of the grassland, blossoming come spring and adding their own sweet fragrance to the air to shadow the more noxious one from the stables. A long area of roses intermixed with less formal plants had been placed directly at the corner of house and ground, forming a colorful border along the front of the white marble that continued up the expansive front porch in the form of flower boxes. A white marble portico extended from the deeply-stained wooden doors, stretching to just barely touch the end of the gravel driveway before curving into a secondary step to ease the travel up to its top layer. It had been carved in a half-circle and bordered on the furthest edge with evenly-spaced cylindrical columns holding up a balcony above, ringed with twisted metal matching that of the front gate. Two large stained glass windows had been built into either side of the great arched double doorway, painting the stone floors with a multitude of mixed colors as the sunlight hit the glass just right. No apparent pattern could be seen in the fused blue and white shards, obviously by the artist’s intent. Two more guards stood ill at ease by the door, serving both as footmen and announcers if a guest was allowed entrance past the front gate. This pair, due to their closer proximity to the Manor itself, was forced to maintain a much higher level of attention to their duties, but they couldn’t help the occasional wander of their mind. Their uniforms matched those of currently manning the gate, although their hands curled around the hilts of two steel short swords to enforce the power of their charge.

Directly inside the double doors expanded the main foyer of the Manor. Extending upward the full two stories of the building, a long rectangular yellow-glass window cut through the roof, allowing merry sunbeams to dance and echo throughout the pale stonework and hung tapestries, broken only by the triangular pattern drawn through the glass to hold the pieces together. A border formed out of small strips of black marble framed the foyer like a stony rug, extending underneath the spiral staircase leading upstairs and into the expansive sitting room just at the end. To the left, another pair of darkly-stained wooden doors flanked the tapestry depiction of the Goddess Carmelya, often left half-open to allow a gentle flow of air through and afford a good view of the foyer. Another guard, this time single, stood by the left doorframe, matching his uniform and weapon to those standing just outside the door. His presence indicated the occupation of the office inside by the Lord Thane himself, often busy among a stack of parchments or deeply engrossed in a book taken from the expansive shelves covering the wall directly behind his wide, mahogany desk. Two overstuffed armchairs had been set just before the desk in opposing angular positions, facing toward the even larger chair usually found holding its owner. The crest of the city of Primus Gaudeo proudly displayed itself just above the Thane’s head, standing stark against the coldness of the white marble walls. A thick rug warmed the feet below while two more tapestries of historic events graced the walls on either side of the doorway, adding to the grandeur and formality of the business office of the Thane of Primus Gaudeo.

The sitting area at the end of the entrance corridor had been decorated in a highly traditional manner, with all the furniture stuffed to the point of bursting underneath the tan leather covers. A few stained coffee tables offered a place of rest for stray glasses and cups, dotted here and there with accompanying chairs and couches. The entire back wall opened into expansive pieces of clear glass, affording a perfect view of the privately-enclosed courtyard in the very back of the Manor with two glassy doorways offering exit to the small goldfish-filled pool and gently-draping willow trees. Another arched doorway, this one lacking closing slabs, opened from the right of the sitting room into a much more expansive ballroom area. Dressed in pure, uncovered white marble, the ballroom floor had black marble criss-crossing each side of the room, forming a squared pattern along the bottom as it stretched from wall of windows to wall of windows. Three great chandeliers had been crafted out of the cleanest brass, requiring at least three servants or one mage to keep the numerous candles lit when the room was to be used. The light from the tiny flames magnified themselves through the hundreds of prism-shaped crystals hanging from the delicate curves, illuminating the entirety of the room in a flash of brilliance to bedazzle many a guest.

The back corner of the Manor had been reserved for the kitchens, dining areas, and servant quarters. Connected to the central sitting room, the main dining room was usually reserved for formal parties requiring a great deal of space for guests, as the wooden table and matching chairs were expansive and numerous. The more private dining room was directly off the kitchen, offering a table able to sit only eight and was typically used on a daily basis. Six rooms and two shared washrooms had been set aside for the servants’ use, although most of the household didn’t live in the Manor itself. Still, their presence could be felt at all times, although not always seen.

An expansive library edged the private dining room on the right side of the entrance foyer, the entirety of the room bordered with floor to ceiling walls of books and parchments. The collection was impressive, to say the least, but still didn’t rival that of a more public library. A few chairs and matching lamp tables were sprinkled throughout the room, often placed strategically near a few of the built-in ladders meant for easy retrieval of the higher placed tomes. A single thin window aimed out to the grassy side-yard of the Manor, offering the only natural sunlight allowed within the room of knowledge.

Upstairs, all private living quarters were kept away from the bustle of the downstairs, lending themselves to quiet peace and tranquility in which to dwell. Four guest bedrooms with shared washrooms between bordered the central hallway extending from the balcony stretching across the front foyer. Each bedroom had been dressed with a hand-carved four-poster bed, all bedecked in varying shades of satiny blues in sheets, pillows, and window shades. A matching dresser, armoire, and dressing table with mirror had been arranged in original positions in each bedroom, affording ease of comfort for any guests that might arrive and require its usage. Each room had been gifted a hand-carved armchair and specific tapestry or painting, all depicting various events throughout Primus Gaudeo’s long and illustrious history.

The room at the end of the hallway had been reserved for the Lord Thane’s private quarters, giving him a bit of sanctuary from the pressing responsibilities of his office. The front room just off the hallway had been converted into a private study of sorts, complete with a trio of bookshelves and a smaller replicate of her desk in the office downstairs. Pleasant windows overlooked the backyard of the Manor, allowing a bit of visual relaxation in the midst of the chaos of the parchments covering the desktop. A door just behind the desk opened into an even more removed sitting area, consisting of only a small couch, two matching chairs, and a bookshelf. A matchingly white marble fireplace warmed the room during the colder seasons and offered a bit of familiarity among the elegance of the stone. Few were admitted into the private sanctum of the sitting room, and even fewer into the actual bedchambers. The Thane’s own room had been decorated in similar blue hues from bed to curtains, although each piece of fabric shimmered with a translucent grey as well. His own taste in art ran more to scenery of the natural world, from the seas in Eunesia to the mountains in far away Sheria, often granting him a vacation for the mind she was denied in real life.

OOC: Origionaly created by Tiyribi Andares, and edited to fit Keldon's personality and the style of a male Thane. Special thanks for the great writing and detail.

Important Please Read Before Posting

Please post letters addressed to the Thane in the Correspondence Thread. If you are visiting the Manor then please post your entrance, or request to enter the grounds within this thead, after that has passed and you are inside the building itself please create a new thread. This is to make orginization easyer for Players CIR's and to keep this thread from over flowing.

Thank you,

[Keldon Elsdragon]

Twenty Third Brightening, of the Third Cycle in Immanis Onwards

As the soft winter snow fell upon the city of Primus Gaudeo a messenger arrived at the gates. The guards watching the man closely, although the messenger carried some respect as his armor was gleaming white, his cloak lined in along the edge was the crimson color of red. In his hands was a parchment carefully sealed within its own steel container.

Once he came to the guards they asked him who he was, and what he wanted at the Thanal Manor. He informed them he was a Paladin sent from his Excellency Roland Moonstar, Lieutenant Governor of the Sodality of Carmelyn and Grand Marshall of the Legion of Justice. He told the guards that his Excellency had sent a letter to be personally delivered by one of his paladins to the Lord Thane.

The guards nodded and extended a hand to take the letter. "His Grace is presently busy within the city, affairs of state you see." The guard said with a smile and told the Paladin the letter would be placed within the Thanes office for reading upon arrival. The Paladin nodded and handed over the letter to the guard, who intern entered the complex making his way towards the Thanes Private office and placing it on his desk.

When Keldon opened the letter he would find it contained a invitation to the Legion of Justice, and it read the following.

To his Grace, Lord Keldon Elsdragon, Thane of Primus Gaudeo

Greetings your Grace,

It gives me great pleasure to write to you this fine brightening, although the cold air has cooled my office to almost a chill. But I am kept warm by the fire my staff have so gratefully arranged, as I am sure your staff have done for yourself.

I have heard of your deeds within the city of Paxia, and your recent appointment as Thane of the city of Primus Gaudeo and it has indeed caught my eye. I do not know if you have heard of them, but none the less you surely would soon enough as the main operations of the faction I am about to name is based within the walls of your city.
I command the Legion of Justice. The Legion is a lawful faction dedicated to protecting the innocent and serving the public good. That is what we stand for, everything who we are, is based off that simple sentence.

Thus I would like to extend my invitation towards you, to become a member of the Legion of Justice and help future the cause of Alleria and the Legion in the Empire.
If you would truly consider this invitation and would like to become a member, then consider if already official. All I ask is you said a letter to my trustful friend and Legion member who keeps the records of those whom reside within the Legion. Her name is Sitandria, and she is the Senior Aedile of Diana. You may send the letter to her office, as knowing her that is where she will be most of the time.

Respectfully,
Roland Moonstar
Lieutenant Governor of the Sodality of Carmelyn

[Keldon Elsdragon]

Keldon sat down at his desk and smiled as he looked the letter over, it was getting late so he decided to draft up a rather simple response to the person listen in the letter.

Twenty Ninth , of the Third Cycle in Immanis

To Lady Sitandria,
From: Lord Keldon Elsdragon, Thane of Primus Gaudeo

Greetings m'lady,

I am dispatching this letter to you in order to inform you of my recent recuitment into the Legion of Justice by the request of its Grand Marshal Roland Moonstar.

I presently reside as the Thane of Primus Gaudeo and look forward to further the cause of the Legion. Hopefully in time expanding it within the Empire and moving forward into a new era as the empire begins to shift.

If you require any more information or would like to discuss anything. Feel free to dispatch a response, or any other letters to my private estate and thanal manor within the city of Primus Gaudeo.

Respectfully,
Lord Keldon Elsdragon

[Adriana Sha'kaal]

Nightfall, Twenty-fourth of Immanis

The night air was sharp and cold, crisp as fall leaves as two figures walked through the streets. One, an Imperial Guard, was silently escorting the other, a young Baijani female, to the home of the Thane. The latter cast constant looks about her as she made her way through a new city. As if in welcome, a very surreal snow was falling, landing gently upon the muddied remains of last brightening's dusting. The Baijani wore worn travel clothes, with an old coat as her only warmth. Her long hair was pulled back between her shoulder blades, tangled from several days of travel. Her bearing was tired, her shoulders slumped, and her shivering was noticable.

As the two approached the Manor, the girl reached into the pocket of her coat, drawing out a crumpled and much-read document. Looking questionably at the guard beside her, she presented it to the soldiers at the gate of the manor. She spoke, her voice dry, her teeth only barely kept from chattering.

"Adriana Sha'kaal. I'm here to see Keldon." The soldiers looked over the letter, and cast dubious glances at the dishevled girl in front of them. Hardly the kind of character one would expect to be visiting the Thane. But the letter was clear. The soldier motioned lightly.

"Allright, go on. Someone'll get you at the door." He puased before returning the letter to her hand that had extended, silently demanding it back.

Adriana inclined her head in thanks, then trudged on through the gates, following the gravel path to the front of the manor. She stood there, looking at the imposing doors, and glanced to the two guardsman. "I'm Adriana... I have a letter, uh, from the Thane... Keldon is expecting me, right?"

The guards nodded, opening one of the large doors. Adriana slipped in, very ill at ease, and very confused. Days of travel, entering a new city with no garuntees, and feeling half-frozen left her mind a little muddled. Her eyes travled up, up and up, seeing far above the dark window that would normally illuminate the impressive foyer. She only dimly heard the guard announce her, and wondered where she should go. She felt half-numb, still shivering, and her mind went in constant circles of wondering what was here for her, and wishing Keldon would come, wishing she could feel a little surer of what was happening to her now. She had left the instant she had recieved the letter from Keldon, but had not thought about where she was really going. And now that she was here, she didn't know what to do. So she stood, arms crossed in an effort to keep warm, glancing about her and waiting for someone to come.

[Keldon Elsdragon]

The sound of the guards voice's moving throughout the estate of the thane caught some attention, but not of Keldon. He was quietly tucked away in his study looking over many documents that the various officials in his care had drafted up for him, proposals, income statements, balances, in truth all of it made Keldon happy to look at, and he did truly enjoy it. It was his responsibility, his duty to oversea and protect the city.

Adriana was standing inside the Thanal estate, in the main entrance. The marble walls and hardwood floor made the dim night in the building disappear as various light fixtures illuminated her surroundings. A younger lady, perhaps in her late twenty's popped her head around the corner curiously looking Adriana over then disappeared quickly back into the doorway of a servants quarter. A females voice could be heard echoing from that hallway, little did the girl know she could be heard as she was summoning her mistress.

Shortly afterwards a older lady in her late forties came from the door where the girl was, her hair a shade of black. Almost as dark as the night, she smiled warming to the girl although looking her over questionably. "What can I do for you deary?" She said softly, unaware of the fact Keldon had summoned her to the mansion. Once she informed her of why she was inside she would smile and nod her head. "Well I shall fetch his grace for you m'love, but you look dreadfully chilly. Please come with me and we will get you warmed up while you want for Lord Elsdragon." With that said she would smile and lead Adriana to the main dinning room which could hold atleast two dozen people, it was moderately lit and had a large fireplace with a warm burning fire already lit, keeping the room and likely the rooms around it toasty warm.

The chief servant would bring Adriana close to the fire and touch her shoulder briefly. "I will inform Lord Elsdragon of your presence love," she tilted her head and moved back the way she came disappearing.

Topic Continued Here

OOC: Moved to its own topic to keep the house thread open, this will likely become only a location and any visitors will need to make their own topics/threads.

[Roland Moonstar]

28th of Immanis, shortly after the noon candlemark, continued from the gate thread.

IC:
Roland waited for Sitandria to be cleared through gate customs, then went to freshen up at his villa on Avon Row, a relic of the time he was Justicar here and one of the many bits of real estate he owned around the Empire. After stopping at his villa, he attempted to make the obligatory greeting and offer of congratulations to Sharinya the Fae Queen, now Governess of Primus Gaudeo.

Once obligation was out of the way, Roland headed over to see the new Thane.
He always made it a point to personally meet every new Legion Deputy at least once upon their recruitment, to make sure they were the right material for the Legion and to make sure to personally answer any questions or listen to any comments they might have about joining.

[Keldon Elsdragon]

Roland Moonstar

The two guards at the gate to the manor watched the pair approach, eying them both carefully. They were decently dressed and they dismissed the possibility they were common thieves attempting to enter the estate and steal its contents.

The guards would dropped there spears forward should they try and enter the gates without approval. However if they both stopped at the entrance the guard to Roland's left would speak, the other remaining quite. "Good Brightening sir, what business do you have at the Manor?" He asked questionably looking towards the two.

[Sitandria]

Roland Moonstar & Keldon Elsdragon

And then there were three...

Sitandria was doing her best to get to the Thane Manor before Roland, but she was distracted by the shops in the city. She really wanted to see if her clothes were ready, but, unfortunately, they were already send to her home. Metering to herself, the young female hurried to the gates of the Manor and sow Roland standing there waiting for her.

Sitandria faced the guards "Serale, my name is Sitandria and this is Roland Moonstar. We have come here to see the Thane, Lord Keldon Elsdragon, if that is possible."

[Keldon Elsdragon]

The guard looked to the two and sighed. "That is lovely you madam, we have had about half a dozen people want to see the Thane, all of which we sent to his office for official business." The guard said with a taint of disappointment in his tone. "What brings you to the Thanes private estate? We can not just allow anyone inside the compound because they simply wish to see the Thane, he is a busy man." Which the guard knew was true, Keldon had been taking part in countless meetings since he arrived in the City and was hardly in one location for long. He looked to the two awaiting a response both guards looking towards them cautiously.

Roland & Sithandria Continued Here

[Roland Moonstar]

OOC: Didn't I post a reply to this thread already?

[Keldon Elsdragon]

OOC: Nope, nothing new. Don't know where your post went from the third but it isn't here,

[Roland Moonstar]

OOC: Oh, I found it. I posted in the thread where you said "Roland and Sitandria, continue here." So, that's where you need to post next, I guess.

[Rhargn Etn]

First Cycle of Pontius
Eighteenth Candlemark in the Darkening of Solaria
The Winter of Era I of the Celestine Mandate
Thirteenth Era Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Reign of Arabella
Paradigm: The Eclipse of the Sun

A bitter chill meander its way towards the minute patches of bare skin that were on display, as Rhargn headed off towards the Thanal Manor. The sky above began to warp from the faery grey of a brightenings winter sky, to a dull ebony, signalling the alteration of hours. It'd have puzzled most who had gazed upon the ruffian heading towards the manor of such a reputable state, but after spending several candlemarks thinking of how to punch his plans into place, Rhargn had come up with what he thought an ingenious idea.

Since he'd arrived word of the new Thane had been rushing about like a dry bush fire, it seemed this was the first Thane in quite a while, but that didn't really matter to Rhargn in the slighest. The thoughts that accumulated within the titans thick skull were bare bones to any normal thinking character, but to this fat oaf, they were far from bare bones and so he'd began searching the vicinity for a building of a majestic exterior and after many wrong directions, had eventually come across it.

Excitement ignited an obscured grin as the titan altered his pace to a job, ready to put his 'plan' into action after gazing upon the exquisite white marble. However, first and foremost, there were the two gate guards to get past. Quickly, he began dusting off any dried dirt that had clung to him from the caravan trip, before puffing out his chest and moving towards them. "Serale men. I'm here to see Lord Keldon Elsdragon, he is expecting me." It was a long shot and Rhargn didn't even know if that was the Thane's real name, it was all word of mouth fronted by a false aura of confidence.

[Keldon Elsdragon]

The two gate guards looked the man over and laughed ever so slightly. Dirt still clinging to Rhargn face, and hair. Likely from the up kicked dust from the wheels of the caravan. But, the Lord Thane has had people of all types pass though his Office and private estate since he arrived. So the guards considered the possibility what the man was saying was indeed true. "Alright then sir, what is your name? Reason for your visit to his grace, and please present your Visa." The guard to Rhargn's left said with a half-assed smirk.